An insight into the Hypnotizing Herbs (Vashiya Mooligaigal) as per the

Siddha text Pathartha Guna Sinthamani

Thomas M.Walter , S. Sulfin Nihar, V. Murugan.

Background:

Siddha system of Medicine is an unexplored Treasure House having number of

occult sciences which include unstamped areas like Mani (Muppu etc), Manthiram
(Mantras, Magic, Pancha patchi sasthiram etc) and some parts of Ousatham (Medicines)
including Peru Marunthugal (Kattu, Kalangu, Guru Kuligai etc). Detailed studies of the
old Siddha literatures continuously reveal the life style of Siddhars and the secret of their
longevity. In that way, while going through the text, Pathartha Guna Sinthamani, one
could come across herbs having Hypnotic properties. This review paper deals with the
herbs mentioned as having hypnotic properties and also their other therapeutic actions.

Hypnosis in Siddha:

Hypnosis is mentioned as Vashiyam in Siddha. It comes under Ashta

Karmam (Eight Karmas), one among the eight kinds of Magical enchantments. It is
further stated as hypnotizing, mesmerising or getting people under ones influence by
chant or magic. Some very popular hypnotizing herbs including Karumpasalai,
Senkodiveli and Siriyanangai (Polygala chinensis) and the uses of herbs according to the
Siddha text, Pathartha Guna Sinthamani are discussed.

Selection Grade Asst. Lecturers, Dept. of Gunapadam (Pharmacology), Govt. Siddha Medical College,
Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu, India. siddhaexpert@gmail.com
Hypnotic herbs as per Pathartha Guna Sinthamani:

Serial Tamil Name, Botanical Name Parts used, uses as per the text
No Common name Pathartha Guna Sinthamani.
1 Siriya Nangai, Polygala chinensis Twigs (Women will not spare
Milk wort the man who serve/worship the
twigs of Siriyanangai).
2 Nayurivi, Rough Achyranthes aspera Root, hypnotic.
chaff or prickly
chaff.
3 Pathiri Streospermum colias Flower, induces female
vasihyam and also lowers fever
arising out of Pitha.
4 Thottrarsinungi, Mimosa pudica Whole plant, useful for
Sensitive or hypnotism and also prevents
humble plant. Meghaneer (S.T.D/V.D)
5 Nilam purandi - Hypnotic.

6 Nindarsinungi Mimosa hamata Hypnotic and anti-dote.

7 Manjal Curcuma longa Hypnotizes men and gives

golden lusture to the body.
8 Mantharai. Bauhinia purpurea Hypnotizes even the king and
have Coolant property.
9 Azhingil Alangium salvifolium Seeds, hypnotic.
1. Polygala chinensis:

Synonyms:
Tamil: Chiriya-Nankai
English: Milk wort

Tender leaves are often used as food, especially in scarcity areas. They possess a
pleasant flavour and are said to be wholesome. An infusion of the leaves is prescribed
for Asthma, Chronic bronchitis and catarrhal affections. The roots are reported to be
used for fever and dizziness. They are reported to possess antiseptic properties.

2. Achyranthes aspera: Family: Amaranthaceae.

Synonyms

English : Prickly chaff flower

Tamil : Apamarkki, Allam, Nayuruvi.
Bengali : Apamg
Gujrati : Aghedo
Hindi : Chirchita, Latjira
Kannada : Uttarani
Malayalam : Katalati
Marathi : Aghada
Punjabi : Puthakanda
Sanskrit : Apamarga, Mayura, Pratyakpuspa, Kharamanjar, Sikhari
Telugu : Uttarenu
Urdu : Chirchita

Constituents
Triterpenoid saponins A-D, possessing oleanolic acid as aglycone, ecdysone,
ecdysterone, tritriacontane, pentatriacontane, hexatriacontane, 6- pentatria contanone, 4-
tritria contanone, 10- tria cosanone,17 - pentatriacontanol, 27- cyclohexyl heptacosan- 7-
ol, 16, hydroxy -26- methyl heptacosan - 2- one and 36, 47, dihydroxyhenpentacontan -
4 - one, betaine.

This plant showed stimulant action on the myocardium of rat and increased
phosphorylase activity of the heart, the effect being comparable to Adrenaline.

3. Streospermum chelonoides Family: Bignoniaceae.

Pathiri Ver is the dried root of Stereospermum chelonoides (Fam. Bignoniaceae),

a large deciduous tree upto 18 m. high and 1.8 m. in girth with a clear bole of about 9 m.,
found throughout the moist parts of the country.

Synonyms

Tamil : Pathiri
Assamese : Parul
Bengali : Parul
English : Rose flower fragrant
Gujrati : Podal
Hindi : Padal
Kannada : Padramora
Malayalam : Padiri
Marathi : Padal
Oriya : Boro, Patulee
Punjabi : Padal
Sanskrit : Patalai, Amogha, Madhuduti, Krsnvnta, Tamrapuspi
Telugu : Kaligottu, Kokkesa, Podira
Constituents

n-Triacontanol, -sitosterol, lapachol, dehydro--lapachone, dehydrotectol, 6-0-

glucosylscutellarein and stereolensin.

Medicinal uses:

1. Root bark and flowers along with sugar are used in the preparation of a cooling
drink.
2. Leaf decoction is used in chronic dyspepsia.
3. Leaf juice when boiled with oil, cures diseases of the ear, teeth and rheumatism.
4. Decoction of root and leaves have anti-pyretic properties.
5. Bark has anti-bacterial and anti-TB properties.
6. Aerial part extract is said to be effective against Lymphocytic Leukemia.

4. Mimosa pudica, Sensitive plant:

Synonyms:
Tamil: Thottal vadi, Thottal-chinungi.
Hindi: Lajwanti
Bengali: Lajjapati
Telugu: Attapatti
Kannada: Lajja, Machike
Malayalam: Tintarmani.
Oriya: Lajkuri.

It is common in waste ground, particularly where the climate is warm and moist and
is exceedingly sensitive to touch. The tender plant is readily eaten by cattle. It is said to
be used as pasture in Fiji. It is reported to produce firm flesh and increased flow of milk
when fed to cattle.
 It contains a toxic alkaloid Mimosine. An adrenaline like substance has been
identified in the extracts of leaves. Tannin is present in the roots.

Uses:

1. Decoction of root is useful in Gravel and other urinary complaints.

2. A paste of the leaves is used in dressings for sinus and also as an application of
sores and piles.

5. Turmeric: Curcuma longa, Family: Zingiberaceae.

Turmeric is the dried and cured rhizome of Curcuma longa (Fam. Zingiberaceae)
a perennial herb, extensively cultivated in all parts of India; crop is harvested after 9 to 10
months when lower leaves turn yellow; rhizomes carefully dug up with hand-picks
between October-April and cured by boiling in its own decoction and dried.

Synonyms

Tamil : Aricaam
Assamese : Haldhi, Haladhi
Bengali : Halud, Haldi
English : Turmeric
Gujrati : Haldar
Hindi : Haldi, Hardi
Kannada : Arishina
Kashmiri : Leadar, Ladhir
Malayalam : Manjal
Marathi : Halad
Oriya : Haladi
Punjabi : Haldi, Haldar
Sanskrit : Haridra, Rajant, Nisa, Nisi, Ratri, Ksanada, Dosa
Telugu : Pasupu
Urdu : Haldi

Constituents

Curcumin, desmethoxy curcumin, bisdemethoxy curcumin, dihydrocurcumin, -

turmerone, bisabolane derivatives, ukonan A, B, C & D phytosterols and fatty acids.

Uses:

1. Turmeric is an auspicious article in all religious observances in Hindu

households.
2. Normal constituent of condiments, curry powders and prepared mustards.
3. Used as a colouring matter in Pharmacy, confectionary and food industry.
4. Turmeric paper an official reagent in the british Pharmacopoea for testing
alkalinity.
5. In Indian systems of Medicine, turmeric is used to some extent as a stomachic,
tonic and blood purifier, also prescribed as an antiperiodic.
6. when mixed with warm milk, removes common cold
7. Juice of fresh rhizome serves as an anti-parasitic for many skin affections.
8. Turmeric is externally applied to indolent ulces and inflamed joints.
9. Decoction is useful in relieving the pain of purulent opthalmia.
10. Oil in small doses has carminative, stomachic, appetizer and tonic properties. In
larger doses exhibits antispasmodic and inhibits excessive peristaltic movements.
6. Nindrasinungi: Mimosa hamata.

Synonyms:

Tamil: Indiri
Telugu: Undra
Bombay: Aukur

Constituents:

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash and calcium. Dried leaves contain ether,

albuminoids, carbohydrates, fiber and ash.

7. Mantharai: Bauhinia purpurea, Linn.

Synonyms:

Tamil: Mantharai
English: Butterfly tree, Geranium tree, Orchid tree.
Hindi: Khairwal
Kannada: Sarul
Malayalam: Chuvanna-mandaram.
Telugu: Kanchanam.

Root is carminative; root bark poisionous; stembark is astringent and useful in

diarrhea. Decoction is useful in washing ulcers. Flower buds are eaten as vegetable and
also pickled. It also has laxative and anthelmintic properties.
8. Azhingil Alangium salvifolium.

Synonyms:

Sanskrit: Ankola
Hindi: Akola
Kannada: Ankole
Telugu: Ankolamu
Malayalam: Irinjil.

Root bark has anthelmintic and purgative properties. It is useful in fevers and skin
diseases and is generally administered in the form of powder. Chopra isolated an
amorphous alkaloid alangine from the bark. In small doses, the alkaloid lowers blood
pressure temporarily, depresses the heart and produces irregular respiration. It also
increases peristaltic movement of the intestines. The fruit is edible. The seeds contain
alkaloids and a sterol, but very little fatty oil.

References:

1. Pathartha Guna Sinthamani, published by Directorate of Indian Medicne &

Homeopathy, Chennai, First edition, 2007.
2. Murugesa Muthaliyar, Materia Medica (vegetable section) first part, 4th edition,
1988, Tamilnadu Siddha Medical Board, Chennai.
3. Wealth of India published by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), New Delhi, India.
4. T.V. Sambasivam Pillai, Tamil-English Dictionary of Medicine, Chemistry,
Botany and Allied sciences Volume V, 1993, Government of Tamilnadu.
5. The Siddha Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Volume I, published by Central

Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (C.C.R.A.S), New Delhi.